JEFFREY FONG | COMPOSER
Jeffrey Fong is a Cantonese composer currently based in Montréal, Canada. He studied music composition at McGill Schulich School of Music(B.Mus. 2018’) then received mentorship under the distinguished composer and pedagogue Alan Belkin. Jeffrey will be pursuing his Master’s degree in music composition at Mannes School of Music with renowned composer Lowell Liebermann.
In August 2024, Jeffrey took part in the inaugural Cumnock Tryst Summer School for Composers in Ayrshire, Scotland, led by composers Sir James Macmillan and Oscar Bettison. As part of the program, his composition Cirrus received its premiere at the Dumfries House, under the direction of Sir James Macmillan. Beyond this program, Jeffrey has received mentorship from composers Julian Anderson and Christos Hatzis through various initiatives(Orford Musique & Domaine Forget de Charlevoix).
His work Dans un Sentier Tout Parfumé composed for Duo Étrange will be recorded alongside a newly commissioned movement as part of the ensemble’s début album with ATMA Classique, supported by Canada Council for the Arts. The work will receive its official premiere at Salle Bourgie.
His new commission from Ensemble Éclat will receive its premiere in a concert co-produced with the Société de Musique Contemporaine du Québec.
Recent engagements include a prestigious Yellow Barn Artist Residency with Duo Étrange developing an original arrangement of Ligeti's Mysteries of the Macabre, as well as additional new works for the ensemble. Jeffrey was one of four composers selected nationwide to participate in the Opera Creation Forum organized by Opera de Montréal & Musique 3 Femmes.
In the spring of 2024, Jeffrey was one of the few selected recipients, and the first ever composer, to receive the AIDA Fund award from La Fondation Jeunesses Musicales Canada.
His very first orchestral composition Through Shattering Snow and Fallen Glass was the finalist of the 6th Tampa Bay Symphony International Composition Competition, and received a reading directed by Mark Sforzini.
A recent composition Rondo Squilibrato, which is Jeffrey’s take on blending elements of jazz, contemporary, and classical forms was recorded and released by record label Odd Sounds with collaborative pianist Joanne Kang (from Carnegie Hall’s: “ensemble connect”) as well as acclaimed jazz performers Jim Doxas (drums) and Adrian Vedady (bass).
Outside of music, Jeffrey has a passion for the culinary arts and has held apprenticeships in Michelin-starred restaurants in Scandinavia and Vancouver.